Album playing while I write this in Starbucks on Ward: SUPERBLOOM by Kiefer
Hiiiiiyeeeeeeeeeee-
Happy mōhalu moon! I’ve decided to name my monthly newsletter the Happy Mōhalu. Mōhalu is the twelfth phase of the moon in the Hawaiian calendar and means to open, unfold, as flowers. It is also the moon that I was born under waaaay back in 1873. I guess it makes sense for me to love all things celestial and flowery. If you’re curious about what moon phase you were born under there’s a free app called “Mahina” that you can use to find the moon for your birthdate. It’s also a great way to learn about what all the moon phases in the Hawaiian Calendar.
October was so much fun
I released my second album, “&bougainvillea” on the 22nd. I was so fortunate to fly out to New York to celebrate the release with some close friends. We also shot an impromptu video for Nostalgia on the rooftop of DeAndre’s apartment and you can find that video on my Instagram (@izikfamous). You can read all about that in my previous newsletter.
The day I came back home from that trip, I held an artist talk with my record producer, Imua Garza of Zeo Music. The Hawaii State Art Museum holds a Pau Hana Artist talk two Wednesdays of every month. I was so happy to be able to have an artist talk the day after my album release and it was so great to sit down and talk with Imua. Our schedules are so busy that we never get the time to talk. We talked about the outfit I wore (red Kū’e t-shirt, red bucket hat, red palaka pant) was designed by Kini Zamora
So far November is off to a great start!
Can we talk about First Fridayyyyyyyy!? If you weren’t there you missed out! I performed with DJ Tittahbyte. We had so much fun rehearsing for the show. During rehearsals I learned that Tittahbyte is a reiki healer. She helped me clear my energy at the end of one rehearsal. I felt so lucky to have crossed paths with a selfless healer like herself. She really changed my whole vibe and helped me bring a different energy to my live performance. The night was filled with fashion & music. I wore custom Kini Zamora and my glam squad (Meeks, Jonahface, Bailey, HMB Salon) was there to help me shine. I was also so grateful to Courtney Monahan and Paiko Hawai’i for building the props that I used on stage. Her and her team came together to kokua their time to help me with my vision.
We recorded the artist talk and the first Friday performance and you’ll be the first to have access to it when we finish editing! Mahalo to Aly Ishikuni-Sasaki and everyone at the Hawaii State Art Museum for letting me be a part of such a cool moment.
My episode on Talk Story with McKenna Meduli aired on the 3rd. For my episode, McKenna came to work out with me and my trainer, Kepa Gaison. I was struggling that day because the night before I was out pretending I was 22 at the Doja Cat concert (which was amazing btw). After working out, we went to Zippys…cuz duh. I’m so thankful that kindhearted, thoughtful people like McKenna exist. She has always gone out of her way to make me feel special and include me in any way she can. You can watch my episode online here.
On the 5th, I had the opportunity to speak at the University of Hawai’i at Kumu Bryan Kamaoli Kuwada’s class. His class centers on the idea of becoming a literary practitioner. Hawaiians have been doing literature for two hundred years but still don’t consider it a traditional practice. His haumāna (students) read literature but also have to create poetry and fiction. His class is very small and intimate. I came in to speak about my journey as an artist who creates boundary-breaking music. I spoke to the class about how my relationship with traditional Hawaiian music took me on a journey that lead me to self-discovery and more importantly, self-love. Hawaiian music, culture and literature is a source of knowledge that informs my music and energizes my artistic self. Mahalo piha to Kumu Kamaoli and his haumāna for welcoming me into their space to share my mana’o and ike. I’m so grateful for the time spent with you and for the makana I was given.
And mahalo piha to all of you who have streamed and bought my album. I’m so grateful that my songs are finding homes with all of you. Please continue to share my music with everyone you love. It is my hope that my music finds its way to everyone who needs to hear it.
Happy Mōhalu,
Oooh. Wait. Also….. congrats to Chardy and Chan on getting married and having the most epic Halloween themed wedding. And for allowing me to wear a wedding dress to their wedding haha
Aaaannnd.... Check out my Spotify Playlist! These are the songs that inspired my album &bougainvillea! My song will play first and then the songs that inspired them will follow. Click here.